A master also known as master recording is the original recorded audio file of a song or piece of music. It represents the final product of the recording process, from which all copies will be derived. The master recording contains the definitive performance of the musical composition, as executed by the musicians and captured by the recording engineers.
What is Master Recording: Table of Contents
The importance of the master recording in music production cannot be overstated. It is the masters from which all reproductions, replications, and distributions originate. Whether it’s vinyl pressings, cassette tapes, CD manufacturing, or digital audio formats like MP3s and streaming files, they all trace back to the original studio master. This makes the master the crucial source that allows recordings to be disseminated to listeners.
Owning and controlling the rights to master recordings is therefore pivotal for musicians. Income streams like sales, licensing, streaming royalties, and synchronization depend directly on the exploitation of masters. Maximizing ownership over masters enables artists to claim a greater share of the revenue from their work. Labels often require artists to sign over their master rights, but retaining control can be key for long-term career success.
For these reasons, master recordings occupy an elevated status in music production. They represent the definitive reference point that all subsequent uses of the music refer back to. The sonic quality and audio fidelity of the masters directly impacts downstream listeners’ experiences. This makes excellent master recording a priority for artists, producers, and engineers alike. Overall, the centrality of masters in allowing music to reach audiences cements their indispensable value.
Different Types of Masters
There are a few key varieties of master recordings that arise during the music production process. Each type serves a distinct purpose in creating, preserving, and finalizing the definitive version of a recording.
Original Masters
The original master recordings encapsulate the initial genesis of a musical work in the studio environment. These are the masters that first emerge during the tracking and mixdown process after the recording sessions. The original masters represent the foundational building blocks for the rest of the production process.
After completing multiple recording sessions, the production team will mix down the raw multitrack tapes into a unified stereo master mix. This is a crucial integrative step, collapsing many disparate tracks into one cohesive sonic experience.
The mixdown requires balancing of levels, panning, EQ, effects, and blending parts together into a complete sum. Engineering skills are vital in crafting a balanced, impactful mix that brings out the best in the performances. The produced original stereo master mix will form the core reference point going forward.
Original master recordings are enormously important references, but they are still working documents. Additional mastering and refinements often occur downstream to optimize the audio. However, the original mixdown masters provide the baseline that the rest of the production workflow will build upon.
For archival purposes, original masters are vital records of the nascent sparks of creativity laid down in the studio. They document the foundational sound and artistic intent. While not yet commercially release-ready, the original masters’ historical value persists as the purest representation of the music’s genesis. Their significance should not be underestimated.
Safety Masters
Safety masters serve the crucial role of preserving and protecting the original master recordings. They act as a backup and redundancy measure in the event of damage, loss, or degradation of the originals.
The process involves cloning the original masters to create 1:1 replicas. This is achieved by real-time digital copying or analogue tape duplication. The end result is a safety master that precisely mirrors the content of the original.
Safety masters provide insurance against catastrophe. If the original masters become unusable, production can continue uninterrupted by utilizing the safety copies. This helps avoid disastrous scenarios that could stall a release.
For example, the 2008 Universal Studios fire damaged many original analog masters by iconic artists. However, thanks to safety copies, remastering and reissuing projects could still proceed.
The safeguarding role of safety masters makes them indispensable. No one wants to explain to artists that their master recordings have been permanently lost. Prudent studios and labels will expend the nominal time and effort required to generate safety masters.
Archival sites and cold storage facilities are ideal environments for housing safety masters. This isolates them from threats while still allowing retrieval if needed. Routinely creating and properly storing safety copies demonstrates responsible stewardship of invaluable master recordings.
Edit Masters
Edit masters represent iterations of the recordings that incorporate selective changes after initial mixdown. They provide opportunities for artists and producers to hone in on details and refine aspects of the performance.
During mixing, there are always compromises at play. Getting every instrument and track sitting perfectly can be an elusive goal. After listening to initial masters, artists may request subtle adjustments.
Edit masters enable tweaking mix elements like:
These focused edits help augment the balance and dynamics of the full mix. Edit masters document the evolution towards the final vision.
The production process is not always linear. Edit masters allow circling back to revise mix decisions. The mixes can get incrementally closer to ideal with each edit master version.
However, restraint is wise – overdoing edits can compromise the coherence of a mix. The role of edit masters is refinement, not reinvention. Small changes are made, not wholesale remixes.
Edit masters represent important iterations, but not the definitive article. They lead closer to the mastered masters which will ultimately be released. Each edit provides learning for the next.
Ownership and Rights
The ownership of master recording rights has huge implications for musicians. However, artists often sign over their master rights to record labels in exchange for recording contracts. This transfers control of the master recordings to the label.
Major labels typically demand outright ownership of masters produced under their contracts. Artists may have little leverage, needing label resources early in their careers. Relinquishing masters becomes the cost of accessing support.
However, for artists, retaining ownership of their master recordings should be a top priority. Owning their masters gives artists much greater creative freedom and revenue potential from their catalog.
Full control over masters enables musicians to:
- Release music independently, without label approval delays.
- License masters for higher sync fees from TV, films, and ads.
- Allow sampling or remixing of their tracks by others.
- Re-release or repackage back catalog music.
- Leave legacy catalog revenue to heirs.
After an initial period, some recording contracts allow master rights to revert back to the artist. Renegotiation may also grant artists back their masters. Legends like Prince fought hard to reclaim their masters from labels.
Ownership of master recordings has always been contentious in artist-label relations. But the upside of seizing master rights makes the effort worthwhile for artists intent on controlling their creative output.
Master Recordings vs. Musical Compositions
There is an important distinction between a master recording and the underlying musical composition it captures. The master recording is the audio performance itself, while the composition consists of the songwriting elements like melody, lyrics, and arrangement.
A master recording is a specific recorded rendition of a musical work. The performers, studio production, and engineering all contribute to the sound of a particular master. Subtle variations exist across different masters of the same song.
Meanwhile, the composition consists of the musical and lyrical ideas that comprise the song at its core. This remains constant regardless of whoever is performing it or how it is recorded.
Master recordings and compositions each have separate copyrights. The master recording copyright covers the audio performance fixed to a medium. The composition copyright applies to the abstract musical work.
For example, imagine a band records a cover version of a classic song. The band owns the master recording copyright of their specific cover. But they need permission from the composition copyright holder (typically the publishing company) to legally record the song.
The division between master and composition is crucial when assigning rights. Musicians should be aware that selling rights to a master does not inherently grant rights to the underlying composition (and vice versa). Each copyright is distinct.
Understanding this difference allows carefully managing the rights to original recordings versus songwriting. With clarity on copyright splits, musicians can make informed deals about master ownership.
Distribution Formats
Master recordings are the vital source materials that enable music to be reproduced and distributed through both physical and digital channels. The formats that masters get encoded to can vary widely.
Physical Music Formats
For decades, physical formats like vinyl records, cassette tapes, and compact discs were the prime mediums for distributing music. Though streamed music predominates today, physical formats deliver a distinctive experience that retains devotees.
Vinyl
Vinyl’s warm, crackling analog sound has enduring appeal. Cutting lacquer discs and pressing records is a meticulous process. Album artwork and liner notes enhance the tactile vinyl ritual. Audiophiles appreciate vinyl’s full frequency dynamics, despite surface noise.
Cassette Tapes
Cassette tapes were portable and customizable via playlisting. Their hissy, lo-fi character has nostalgic charm. Cassette packaging often featured great album art and liner notes. Specialty tapes with colored shells, chrome, and metal compositions are collectible.
Compact Discs
CDs ushered in digital clarity. Their durability and length (74+ minutes) were improvements on vinyl and cassette. Some bemoan the overuse of dynamic compression in “loudness war” CD masters. CD supplemental content like lyrics and video deepened engagement.
While physical sales have waned, they persists as boutique formats. For artists, special physical releases build fan connections. For listeners, the tactility, artwork, and retro allure bring enjoyment. Nostalgic passions keep vinyl presses, cassette duplicators, and CD plants humming.
Ultimately, masters fuel physical media’s creation. Whether vinyl, cassette, or CD, the master recording provides the crucial audio source. Physical products enable listeners tomeaningfully engage with music.
Digital Audio File Formats
Digital files like WAV, FLAC, MP3 and AAC have become key formats for distributing master recordings. Digital files offer portability, flexibility, and efficient storage.
WAV
WAV files are uncompressed audio containing full fidelity PCM data. Their larger size captures pristine audio – WAVs are ideal archival formats.
FLAC
FLAC uses lossless compression for high resolution masters. FLAC retains complete audio data while reducing file size over 50%.
MP3
MP3 utilizes “perceptual coding” to shrink file size by strategically discarding audio data. Lower bitrates sacrifice fidelity for portability.
AAC
Advanced Audio Coding, the format underlying iTunes files, also discards non-critical data. AAC enhances compression efficiency over MP3.
Digital files strike balances of sound quality and practicality. Uncompressed WAV/FLAC preserves every nuance. Lossy MP3/AAC saves space while retaining essential audio.
For distribution today, digital files get encoded from masters in formats suiting bandwidth, storage limits, and listening scenarios. The audio fidelity, metadata tagging, and security of masters transfers into associated digital files. Distribution-ready masters facilitate accessing music across the digital landscape.
Mastering for Streaming Platforms
Streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon have specific audio requirements that necessitate tailored mastering. Masters destined for streaming undergo specialized processing.
Loudness Normalization
Streams are normalized for consistent perceived loudness. Maximizing loudness via brickwalling limiting is no longer beneficial. Natural dynamics are preferred.
Targeted EQ
A balanced frequency profile avoids overly hyped highs or boomy lows. Careful EQ helps masters translate well across various listening systems.
Optimized Stereo Image
A centered, coherent stereo image prevents phasing issues or lost details in mono sum folding. Stereo width enhancements should be subtle.
Encoded for Data Rate
Masters are encoded to streaming formats like AAC at appropriate bitrates. Retaining clarity within limited data bandwidths challenges masters.
Future-Proofing
Leaving some peak headroom and not over-compressing provides insurance for future remastering. Avoiding overcooking the master preserves options.
Ultimately, mastering engineers must adapt their processing for the growing reality of streaming consumption. Masters are crafted to deliver the best listening experience within streaming technical constraints. The mastering must serve the streaming output.
Maximizing Income from Masters
Owning their master recordings allows artists to fully capitalize on income opportunities. Masters can generate revenue through sync licensing, sampling, and reissuing previous releases.
Sync Licensing
Placing music in ads, TV, games, and films can earn sync licensing income. Rates vary based on factors like prominence, genre, and usage term. High profile syncs pay substantial sums, especially for masters embodying a brand’s desired emotion/tone.
Sampling & Remixes
Licensing masters for sampling or remixes provides creative and financial upside. Setting sampling terms and approvals retains control. Remixes can expose music to new audiences. Income accrues from original master use.
Re-releasing Catalog
Reissuing previous releases generates recurring revenue from proven material. Anniversary editions, box sets, and special vinyl pressings keep music sales momentum going. Bonus tracks enhance masters’ appeal.
Masters are assets that can be perpetually re-exploited as cultural artifacts. By instilling timeless quality through skilled production, masters reward creators with lasting income potential. Back catalog masters can provide a lifetime revenue stream.
Owning masters and avoiding over-exploitive deals allows musicians to fully access this ongoing value. Savvy artists continue extracting new value from great master recordings.
Final Thoughts
The master recording is the definitive reference source from which all subsequent music copies derive. It captures the quintessential performance of a composition, preserved as an enduring document.
Throughout the production process, the importance of flawless master recordings is constantly reinforced. The original studio masters, safety backups, edit tweaks, and final mastered versions collectively serve to hone in on the ideal sound.
All physical and digital distribution depends upon the quality and ownership of these masters. Vinyl, streaming, synchronization – the master enables them all. Their audio fidelity and intangible value persists for decades.
Therefore, maintaining control over one’s master recordings is absolutely critical for artists. The creative, archival, and income potential all flow from mastery of the masters. Too often, naive musicians cede their most crucial rights for minimal short-term gain.
However, the long view recognizes masters as assets to nurture. Their utility, uniqueness, and longevity convey tremendous upside. Treating master recordings as the musical crown jewels that they are ensures a brighter future.
Vigilance about production, protection, and ownership of masters remains eternally wise. Master recordings are the audio foundations on which fulfilling careers flourish. A master’s true worth is beyond price.